Tag: Cygnus
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Countdowns and Testing – Commercial Space steps up a gear
Several commercial space companies are in the midst of critical testing and launch preparations. While the increase in activity is aimed at successfully achieving differing mission objectives, the overall drive is one based on private companies becoming the new gate keepers of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), freeing NASA to set sail for deep space destinations.…
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NASA planners switch next SpaceX Dragon mission to 2014
Planners within the ISS program have manifested the next two Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions. Both Orbital’s CRS-1 (ORB-1) and SpaceX’s CRS-3 (SpX-3) missions were initially provided with the same orbital place-holder in December, prior to this week’s decision to allow Cygnus to fly ahead of Dragon, with the latter moving to NET January 17,…
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NASA planning ISS module relocations to support future crew vehicles
International Space Station (ISS) program managers and engineers are working on long-term plans to support future crew and cargo vehicles, including the installation of a new docking system onto the station for use by future commercial crew vehicles, along with the relocation of some Station modules, in order to free up ports for use by…
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Cygnus ISS debut provisionally moved to September
The debut mission for Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft – known as ORB-D – is now tracking a provisional launch date of September 28. The slip relates to an engine change out on the Antares that will launch Cygnus en route to the ISS, along with the Station’s busy Visiting Vehicle schedule and Solar Beta Angle cut-out…
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Orbital’s Antares: An eye on the present and the future
Orbital are still hoping to launch their Antares rocket on its debut trip into space this coming week, despite an issue during its Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). Elsewhere, the Castor 30XL upper stage motor – that will fly with Antares on later flights of the Cygnus spacecraft to the ISS – enjoyed a successful static…
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CASTOR 30XL prepares for static fire ahead of providing Antares boost
ATK’s CASTOR 30XL Upper Stage motor is deep into preparations for a static fire test, set to take place this spring at the Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee. The large Upper Stage was designed and built by ATK within a two year period, with six production units on order to boost the power of…
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Flight of the Antares – Orbital closing in on long-awaited debut
The Antares launch vehicle will soon make its debut flight, ahead of an important year for Orbital’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract requirements. The test flight of the new launch vehicle will pave the way for a demo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in May, involving the first use of the Cygnus spacecraft.…
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Orbital’s Antares closing in on debut launch following pad arrival
Antares, the launch vehicle tasked with lofting the Cygnus spacecraft on missions to the International Space Station (ISS), finally arrived at its Wallops launch pad on Monday. The arrival of the rocket – ahead of a hot fire at the pad – should mark the end of delays related to construction difficulties for the Mid-Atlantic…
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Orbital’s Cygnus debut mission to the ISS outlined
With one half of the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) puzzle enjoying a fully successful test flight, Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft is closing in on its own debut attempt to visit the International Space Station (ISS) later this year. In a mission that is surprisingly similar to that undertaken by SpaceX’s Dragon, the success of Cygnus should…
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Space industry giants Orbital upbeat ahead of Antares debut
Orbital Science Corporation held an investor conference this week, overviewing the results of their Fourth Quarter performance in 2011, at the same time as providing an interesting insight into the near-term plans for what is one of the most established companies in the space industry. The overview covered their entire space operations, including information on…